Currently, utilizing the latest technologies in every sector becomes important to be more productive. The use of digital technology has gained more attention following its flexibility to accomplish tasks quickly with better performance. Therefore, countries gave priority to digitalization; and promoting the efforts of digitizing all sectors.
Different countries have gained momentum through the effective use of digital technology. South Korea, United States, Taiwan, and Denmark, respectively listed as world’s most technologically advanced countries based on global finance 2023 ranking. These countries become known for effectively utilizing the latest technologies and swift digitalization. South Africa and Botswana are also the top African countries that have shown promising progress through technological advancement.
There is also a tangible progress of technological advancements in Ethiopia where the government has set to realize “Digital Ethiopia” by 2025.
The Ethiopian government has been taking various measures accrediting the importance of attaining “Digital Ethiopia” by 2025. In this regard, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MoIT) is the leading institution that leads the country’s endeavors towards digitalization. Thus, the journey of transforming to digitalization sought to motivate new employment opportunities to the growing number of youths and women and at the same time improves quality of life through easing doing business, accessing services, among others.
Recently, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MoIT) underlies the need for realizing “Digital Ethiopia 2025” and its significance to the overall socio-economic advancement. The Ministry and institutions accountable to it announced that they are striving for making “Digital Ethiopia 2025” a reality through expanding modern technological service throughout the country.
The Ministry presented the 2023/24 fiscal year plan and its 1st quarter plan performance report to the House of People Representatives (HPRs) Standing Committee.
Speaking at the occasion, MoIT Minister Belete Molla (PhD) said that this fiscal year plan has incorporated four programs namely national science technology and innovation development, constructing infrastructure for the science technology and innovation sector, increasing digital economy, and establishing structure as well as rules and regulations to efficiently lead the national science and technology scheme.
As to him, the Ministry is striving to expand all inclusive participation thereby bringing about meaningful accessibility in realizing “Digital Ethiopia 2025”. To this end, the Ministry has been working in collaboration with various stakeholders so as foster technological advancement. The Ministry has also appreciated and supported homegrown research with a view to coming up with fundamental changes in science, technology and innovation fields.
The Ministry has also secured 250,000 USD for ACTS–Africa for conducting research in health, agriculture, environment, energy, and the like in a bid to help the country record significant change across the nation. So far, some 90 proposals were provided and some six winner proposals are being selected, and they will be provided with 35,000 USD each to help them realize their respective ambitions.
“Creating enabling environment for reducing corruption, increasing e-commerce and e-governance, developing geospatial information, giving licenses for electronic markets and the like are among the various measures that are taken in the first quarter plan performance. For instance, the number of electronic marketing has increased from 50 to 117. Besides, 95% of the fiscal work is accomplished and hits 25% of the capital performance.
In that order, the Ministry planned to utilize 159 million Birr and 89.9 million Birr for the regular budget and capital budget in the 1st quarter of this fiscal year. However, it utilized 130 million Birr and merely 25 million Birr respectively, in the stated period. It means that 82% of the regular budget and 26% of the capital budget have so far been utilized.
Standing Committee Chairperson Negeri Lencho (PhD), on his part, commented that the Ministry should attach serious attention to job creation, awareness-raising, e-service expansion, conducting meaningful researches, bridging the skilled human power gap thereby successfully and confidently realizing the “Digital Ethiopia 2025” goal.
Moreover, other officials also lauded the importance of realizing “Digital Ethiopia” by 2025. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that technology capability is the main secret to build a strong and competent country and a prosperous society in the current era.
Launching Next Ethiopian Startup (NEST) initiative Demeke said that technology is crucial for realizing development ambitions and building a strong nation.
As to him, technology capability is the foundation and main secret in the current era to build a strong and competent country and prosperous society. The initiative like NEST is instrumental to enable transferring a competent nation for the next generation by overcoming poverty and backwardness, he noted.
NEST is a great opportunity for a country like Ethiopia and its huge youth population to overcome poverty and be competitive at the global level, it was indicated.
Accordingly, NEST is a groundbreaking national startup ecosystem development initiative which will be a central element for the startup innovation.
On her part, Labor and Skills Minister Muferiat Kamil stressed that NEST is the new face of Ethiopia as the country is rich in diversity which is conducive for innovation.
The need for policy and financial support to startups was also stressed during the occasion as they are essential to expediting economic development by creating sustainable jobs. Ethiopia’s youthful population is an incredible asset and an untapped resource for positive growth. The NEST was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the Ministry of Labor and Skills as the objectives of the initiative include building the culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and creating competent startup.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 12 NOVEMBER 2023
